Awards celebrate rising stars of the Scottish textile industry

Recognised as being one of the most important prizes for Textile Students in the UK, the Annual Weaver Incorporation Career Enhancement Awards, held on Monday 27 November at Trinity Hall, are presented annually by the Weaver Incorporation, one of the Seven Incorporated Trades of Aberdeen.

The honours, awarded to an outstanding student and runner up from the BA (Hons) Fashion & Textiles Design degree course at Gray’s School of Art at Robert Gordon University, recognise the close relationship between Gray’s School of Art and the Aberdeen Weaver Incorporation and their shared commitment to support skills in the Scottish textile sector.

Winner of the 2025 prize is Heather Emslie whose work, ‘Skippers Harbour’, was inspired by the fishing industry in Aberdeen and The Shire. 

Heather, who is in third year studying a BA (Hons) in Fashion & Textiles, was presented with the J Gray Kilgour Medal, a certificate of excellence and a cheque for £800. She has created a project inspired by her Granda Clarke who grew up in Aberdeen in the 1950s and 60s, and went on to paint and refurbish model boats, including a boat named after Heather’s Granny. Local fishermen also got involved in Heather’s project and helped her with her research – sending her video footage of their work in the North Sea. 

Heather said: “The typography of the fishing industry, I think, is one of the most important parts. Boats were typically named after fishermen’s wives or family members. What I found really interesting was that when you visit the different harbours you could see the boats past names. They had obviously been recycled for someone else.”

Reflecting on the prize money Heather added: “My main goal when I leave Gray’s Art School is I hope to start a studio business of my own to support people to learn the skills of fashion textiles. When I was younger I was taught how to sew by my Granny – so I’d like to help other people with that. Everyone should have access to that.” 

Runner up, Meghan Knox, is a third-year student at Gray’s School of Art. Meghan explores the theme of ‘Resonance’ in her work, and the intersection of music and memory. 

Meghan said: “I’m planning to save the prize money to fund a knitwear short-course at UAL London. I’m excited by the opportunity to experience a change of environment, and a change in learning.” 

Dr Dan Allen, Dean of Gray’s School of Art, who attended the awards, said: “Before oil – Aberdeen established its reputation for textiles. The textile industry was integral to the success of this fantastic City and region. When oil is done – that is how we will remember this City again. There is an important tradition to maintain, and Heather is a fitting winner – talking specifically about that sense of place. That sense of place is so important to Gray’s and its role in promoting and celebrating the brilliance of this City and region more widely. We are one of the oldest Art Schools in the UK. As we celebrate our 140th anniversary - there is no art school that has a greater and more important role to play in the City in which it resides.”

The awards are judged on the basis of a submitted portfolio and interview, and students receive a financial award to secure experiences such as a study trip, equipment and materials, or additional training such as specialised workshops, to help them in their future careers. They also receive dedicated business support and a mentor from the Weaver’s Incorporation to guide them with their future careers.

Ex Deacon Convener Graeme Nicol from The Seven Incorporated Trades of Aberdeen said: 

“The Career Enhancement Awards are one of the high points of the Weaver Incorporation’s calendar as it is tangible evidence of our Incorporation’s historic responsibility to ensure that craft skills in textiles are passed on to future practitioners of the craft. We are justly proud of this Award, our relationship with RGU, and in particular with Gray’s School of Art and our engagement with so many industrious and talented students over the 39 years we have held the competition.”